. >> we think he's probably going to come at me like a cannonball, more pressure, because mitt romney put such a great performance, and the bar is pretty high. >> reporter: ted olson reportedly went back and forth in three mock debates in an indoor tennis court. in between, he worked in some r & r, picking pumpkins with his kids over the weekend. for his part, mr. biden has practiced with chris van hollen. ordering sandwiches from his favorite deli in wilmington, delaware, and lots of gatorade. he's also scouted ryan's speeches and poured into his book "young guns" written with a pair of fellow conservatives. >> i just want to make sure that when i say these things that i don't ongressman saying, no, no, no, i don't have that position or that's not the governor's position. >> reporter: many political observers discount the importance of vp debates, arguing they rarely if ever have tipped the outcome of the presidential election. that doesn't mean these meetings have been meaningless or unforgettable. in 2004, dick cheney was in a similar position, tasked with reversing momentum after